Recording apparatus



April 7, 1953 A. W. METZNER 2,633,638

RECORDING APPARATUS Filed Aug. l, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet l Y w www April 7, 1953 A. w. METzNER 2,633,638

RECORDING APPARATUS Filed Aug. l, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR MBE? 7' W METZ/VER April 7, 1953 A. w. METzNER RECORDING APPARATUS 4 Sheetsfsheet 3 Filed Aug. l' 1949 'NVENTQR Amt-'QT W NETZ/1ER BY 5m A QRNEY oN mNI\ 0 0N NN 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ow Smid w A. W. METZNER RECORDING APPARATUS April 7, 1953 Filed Aug. ll 1949 INVENTOR AL/SEQT WMEZ/VER A oRNEY JLM Patented Apr. 7, 1953 RECORDING APPARATUS Albert W. Metzner, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Standard Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application August 1, 1949, Serial No. 108,010

15 Claims.

This invention relates to a recording apparatus, and more particularly to an autographic register and a writing attachment therefor by means of which multiple superposed copies may be inscribed without the use of interleaved carbon or transfer strips.

The instant invention contemplates a mechanism for producing the equivalent of an original inscription upon each copy of a superposed assembly of record forms, such mechanism including vertically spaced multiple writing units or pens having a common control member. If desired, the various pens may contain diierent color inks, and the mechanism may also be adapted to inscribe both the top and bottom of each superposed form. The invention also contemplated the inclusion of spaced traveling writing tables or supports over which the superposed forms are advanced, the traveling writing tables or supports being moved relative to the forms in unison with movement of the writing units.

It has long been desirable to provide a means for producing multiple original copies of an inscribed record. Not only is this desirable t eliminate the smudging and smearing of carbon copies, but the necessity of periodically changing the carbon paper is eliminated while producing multiple copies, each of which is as clear and legible as the uppermost original copy. Various methods and means have been proposed for improving the quality of indicia recorded on the underlying record sheets, one of such means being shown and claimed in my prior application Serial No. 441,000-, filed April 29, 1942, now matured into United States Letters Patent No. 2,390,549.

The present construction as shown herein eliminates the necessity for carbon or other forms of transfer material interleaved between the individual Istrips comprising the assembly of superposed record strips, and further provides what amounts to an original inscription 4on each of the superposed forms. Not only is the legibility of the inscription greatly improved, but use of the recording mechanism is greatly simplified, the results obtained thereby being uniform throughout the life of the mechanism regardless of the number of inscriptions which are made thereby.

Thus, the object of the present invention is to simplify the construction as well as the means and mode of operation of an autographic register as disclosed herein whereby such register may not only be economically manufactured.. but

will be more efficient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications, having relatively few parts and be unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide a plurality of writing units, one for each of the superposed forms in recording position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism which will produce upon each of the superposed forms in recording position an original duplicate of the record recorded upon the uppermost original form.

A further object of the invention is to provide a traveling writing table or backing surface for the superposed forms, which surface travels in unison with the travel motion of the writing units.

A further object is to provide a mechanism in which underlying record forms may be inscribed with varying colors of ink.

A further object of the invention is to provide an additional series of feeding pins engageable with the marginally punched stationery, comprising the assembly of superposed forms in spaced relation with the usual or primary feeding mechanism so that the assembly of forms will be held against longitudinal or transverse shifting during inscription of the record thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide an autographic register having the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the mode of opperation herein mentioned.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein is found the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of an autographic register embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the special writing attachment installed in the register;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, showing the multiple writing units;`

Fig. 4 is a :sectional view with certain parts broken away to show the interior of the register;

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary views showing details of the two feeding units for advancing 3 and holding the assembly of record forms in recording position;

Fig. 7 is a rear sectional view of the special writing attachment installed in the register;

Fig. 8 shows a modification in which separate ink reservoirs are provided for the different writing units;

Fig. 9 s'h'ows Va moc lilieation permitting cleaning of the supply pipes intermediate the ink reservoir and the writing units:

Fig. 10 shows a further modification in which pressure may be applied to the ink supply in or; der to prime the writing units;

Figs. 11 and 12 show different forms of writing units;

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 show a further modification in which the writing units may be swung upwardlyl about a pivot point to facilitate loading of the register with the assembly of superposed forms;

Figs. 16, 17 and 18 show a further modification in whichthe reservoirsare carried immediately adjacent the writing peint of the writing unit.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

The present invention is a further development and improvement of the mechanism shown in my copending companion application, Serial No. 108,009; filed concurrently herewith. Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Fig, l an autographic register embodying the present invention, comprising a housing or cabe inlet I, including a short cover portion 2 hinged at the front yof the cabinet and a combination arm rest and rear cover4 portion 3hinged to an upstanding rear wall 4, which Wallis also hinged to the base of the cabinet I. (See Fig. 4.) Upon opening of the cabinet, as shown in Fig. 4, a supply of record forms may be inserted in the register, `from which supply the superposed record strips are drawn over a writing table 6 by the combined iniuence of the primary strip feeding means I and the supplemental feeding and an-v horin'g means The in an strip feeding means I consists of a pair of fixed pin pin wheels mounted upon a transverse shaftsupported in the ls ide walls of the cabinet l and rotated under influence of the manual hand crank 9. Also carriedby the trans-V verse pin wheel shaft is a'spr'ocket wheel I0, which through chain 'I I and sprocket wheel i2 associated with the supporting shaft for the supplemental feeding device 8 drives such supplemental device in timed relation with the main feeding mecha# nism. The supplemental device is preferably although not necessarily of the disappearing pin type shown in U. S. Patents Nos. 2.000,649, 2,000,050 and 2,000,651.

The writing table 6 is ikedly secured to the side walls' of the'hdusin'g I by brackets I3 (Fig. 4) and the assembly of superposed strips advanced thereover, one or more of the strips being issued from the register after the desired inscription has been recorded thereon by being directed over the top of a flutter plate I4 located at the front of the register. The remaining strips passing under nutter plate Ill are directed into a storage compartment where they are restacked-in'packet form i5.'

The left side ofthe writing table 6 is so formed at I6 that it appears to be 'a part of the cover or lid (see Figs.l l, 4 and 7) while the opposite or right side of the table is maintained in a common plane with the table proper. This is best seen in Figs. 1 and 4, and provides maximum hand rest area when an operator' is Writing iipn the extreme 4 right side of the form then in recording position.

The assembly of superposed strips is held in engagement with the feeding devices 'l and B by feed lingers Il and I8, respectively. Feed linger Ii is carried by a tear-ofi bar I9 which overlies the main feeding mechanism l, while the feed fingers I8 for the supplemental feeding mechanism 8 are carried by' the rear cover `portion 3.

Secured to the underside of writing table 6 is a pair of longitudinally extending tracks 20, one on each side of the table, which tracks support a traveling trolley member 2i. Trolley 2| is equipped with roller bearings 22 engage-able with the track member 20 to support the trolley thereon for free fore and aft movement relative to the writing table 6. Adjustably mounted upon trolley member 2i for free traveling movement transversely thereof (and transversely of the writing table 6) is a carrier member 23. Similar t0 trolley 2l, the carrier 23 is equipped with rollers 24 which rollers engage the trolley member and support the carrier thereon.

As best seen in Figs. 1, 4 and 7, the trolley eirtends outwardly to the right of the resister to support the carrier member when such member is in its extreme right hand position. To permit such extension and still provide for fore and aft movement of the trolley relative to the writing table, the side of cabinet I is recessed or notched as at 25 (Figs. l and 4). With such construction the trolley is free for movement over the entire length of a form which is located in recording position.

Fixedly secured to the carrier 23 is an upstanding body 26 which serves as a mounting for a plurality of vertically spaced arms 2I extending from the body 20 into overlapping relation with the writing table 6. The arms 2l are of a spring nature, possessing a degree of natural resilience so that when not under pressure the arms will assume and maintain a relatively spaced relation as shown in Fig. '7.

Carried upon the outboard end of each arm l2'I is a writing unit 28 which is engageable with the individual forms comprising the superposed assembly of record forms advanced through the register by the feeding units "I and 8. As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the individual strips 5a comprising the assembly of superposed record forms are interleaved between the arms 2l and associated writing unit 28. Upon application of pressure to the uppermost arm 2l and its associated writing unit, the individual arms are flexed downwardly until the lower arm 2 and its associated writing unit come in contact with the writing table 6. Thereupon each of the writing units 28 are brought into contact with the interposed record strip 5a, and upon movement of the writing units produce upon the immediately underlying record sheet a written record which is the full equivalent of an original record.

Movement of the carrier 23, trolley 2l and the several writing units 28 is controlled by a hand piece 29, movabiy mounted in a socket 29a on the top of the uppermost writing unit 2B. The hand piece 29 is grasped by an operator just as though it were an ordinary pen or pencil, and the same motions made therewith as though the operator were writing with an ordinary writing instru'- ment. The construction of the carrier and trol--v ley members and their respective mountings is such that the inscription assembly unit compris-` ing the trolley, the carrier, the arms, and writing units moves with ease and facility over the area of the-record--form the-handpiece 29 and under-y lying writing units 28 each moving through motions comparable to those used when writing with ordinary writing instruments.

To support the hand piece 29 in partially elevated position when not in use, a rest 30 is provided upon the upper arm 21 in which the hand piece is received as shown in Fig. 1.

The particular construction of the writing units 28, the means of supplying Writing fluid thereto, and the means of securing such units to the mounting body 28 may vary without however departing from the principle involved in the conception of multiple writing without the use of carbon or other transfer material.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 7, and more particularly in enlarged detail in Fig. 3, the writing units 28 comprise an ink receiving housing 3| in the underside of which is mounted a ball type pen element 32. Ink is supplied to the housings 3| through pipe lines 33 secured to the front edge of arms 21. An lnk supply is carried in a reservoir 34 supported by the mounting body 28, the pipe lines 33 communicating therewith. On the top of each ink receiving housing 3| is a small writing surface 35 which serves to support the overlying record sheet and provide a writing table for the overlying ball pen 32. Such surface is highly polished and may be either substantially flat or convex in contour. It has been found desirable with certain types of paper to reduce the area of such writing surface to a minimum so as to reduce as far as practical the resistance to movement of the superposed writing units 28 due to friction.

In Fig. 8 there is shown a modification providing for the use of different color inks in each of the ink receiving housings 3|. In such case a plurality of ink reservoirs 38-31-38 are provided, one for each of the ink receiving housings 3 I, each reservoir being llled with a different color ink.

Diagrammatically shown in Fig. 9 is a method of cleaning the pipe lines 33, should they become clogged or otherwise stopped. The pipe lines 33 are extended through the reservoir 34, the outer ends thereof being capped. Should such lines become clogged, the cap can be removed and a cleaning rod S39 pushed therethrough. In this particular construction the pipe lines 33 are per-- forated within the reservoir so that the ink within the reservoir may enter the lines for delivery to the ink receiving housings 3|.

In Fig. 10 is shown a further modification involving the use of a small pressure pump 40 mounted on top of the reservoir 34. Should the ink congeal in the pipe lines 33 or on the ball pens 32, slight pressure upon the pump 40 is sufficient to again start the flow of ink.

In Fig. 11 is shown a modification of the construction of the writing units 28. In this particular form the unit comprises an ink receiving housing 4|, in the lower part of which is a ball pen 32, to which ink is supplied as heretofore described. However, in place of the previously described writing surface 35, the instant construction embodies a further ball 42 on the top of the housing 4| which provides a rolling or traveling writing surface. Friction is thereby practically eliminated between the housing 4|, its writing surface and the overlying record sheet.

Fig. 12 is similar to Fig. 11, except that the upper ball 42 is supplied with ink from the pipe line 33 the same as the lower ball 32. With such construction not only is there provided a rolling Writing table or surface. but the upper ball 42 also records on the underside of the overlying record form an indicia corresponding to the indicia recorded upon the top of the record form. Thus, there is a recording upon both the top and bottom of the record form which greatly reduces the chance of alteration.

Figs. 13, 14 and l5 show a modication in which the arms 21 are pivotally secured to a mounting body 43, the pipe lines 33 on the several arms being connected with the reservoir 34 by means of flexible tubes 44. As shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the arms 21 are secured in holders 45, which holders are pivotally mounted on the body 43. As before, the arms 21 are resilient, being locked in down or operative position similar to that shown in Fig. 1 by means of revoluble detent 46, which as shown in Fig. 15 is movable into transverse relation with an opening 41 inv each of the holders 45. Upon movement of the detent into aligned relation with the opening 41, the holders and associated arms 21 may be swung into upright position (Fig. 13) to permit easy insertion of a new set of forms in the register. Instead of threading the individual strips intermediate the superposed arms 21 as in Fig. 1, the lower strip is put in position and the lower arm 21 then swung. downwardly into operative position. This operation proceeds until the entire set of the forms is properly placed between the superposed writing units.

Figs. 16, 17 and 18 show a still further modification in which an ink reservoir is carried directly in the ink receiving housing rather than being remotely located relative thereto. As shown in Figs. 16 and 17, a housing 48 is provided with a recess therein preferably divided into two non-communicating chambers 49 and 50. The upper chamber 50 which is in communication with the upper ball 5| may be filled with either a lubricant or an ink, depending on whether or not it is desired to inscribe a record on the underside of the overlying strip The lower ball pen 52 is supplied with ink from the other reservoir 43.

The individual housings 48 are pivotally mounted upon associated arms 53 by means of a pin 54 carried by each of the arms. As shown, the head 55 of the mounting pin is flattened so that'it will not interfere with the passage of the record forms through the mechanism. To prevent rotation 'of the mounting pin relative to the arm 53, head 55 has a projection 5S on one side thereof engageable within a keyway 51 in the edge of the arm. Movement of the pin towards the right of Figs. 16 and 18 permits easy withdrawal of the housing 48 for purposes of refilling with ink, or to change the color of the ink supply.

In this particular construction the arms 53 are not necessarily inherently resilient, the resilience in the writing units being provided by a leaf spring 58 carried on the bottom of each housing 48 and lengageable upon the top of the immediately adjacent underlying housing 48. Upon release of pressure upon the hand piece 29, the

housings 48 immediately separate relative to each other under influence of the spring 58 to re move the ball pens from engagement with the interposed record strips.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and ar- 7 rangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

'1. In an autographic register having a cabinet and a recording position past which an assembly rof superposed series connected record strips is' advanced by a strip feeding device, said strips presenting respective record receiving surfaces facing -in a common direction, a plurality of superposed recording instruments extending in interleaved relation to said record strips and in respectively overlying relation to the record receiving surfaces thereon, there being a recording instrument for each of the record 4strips comprising the assembly of record strips, a common mounting for the plurality of Vrecording instruments, and a movable carrier for the common mounting movable transversely and longitudinally of the register cabinet over the recording position.

2. An autographic register having a cabinet and a wiring table over which an assembly of superposed series connected record strips is advanced, including means for reproducing upon underlying record strips a record corresponding to the record produced upon the uppermost strip, comprising a series of superposed writing invstruments in interleaved relation to said record strips, there being a Writing instrument for each of the superposed record strips, the uppermost of which maybe grasped by an operator, a common mounting for the Writing instruments from which the instruments laterally project, a carrier for the'mounting adjustably mounted upon the writing table for transverse and longitudinal motion relative thereto,'a source of Writing fluid for the writing instruments mounted upon the carrier, and means for transmitting the Writing iiuid to the individual Writing instruments.

8. In an autographic register having a writing table over which an assembly ofsuperposedseries connected record `strips is advanced, a series of superposed writing instruments movably mounted upon the Writing table extending intermediate each strip of the superposed V.assembly of strips,

a movable writing surface carried by each of the writing instruments upon which the overlying record strip rests, means for moving the Writing instruments and writing surfaces longitudinally and transversely of the Writing table, and means for providing a continuous supply Vof writing 'fluid tothe individual Writing instruments.

4. 'he combination set forth in cla-im 3, characterized by a writing instrument comprising the movable Writing surfaces, and means for providing such Writing instruments with a supply of Writing fluid.

5. IIn an autographic register having a recording area over which an assembly of superposed record strips is progressively advanced by a feeding device, a series of vertically spaced writing instruments between which the superposed record strips are interleaved, a series of resilient arms upon which the writing instruments are supported in normally spaced relation. a movable mounting for the resilient arms movable longitudinally and transversely of the record area, a. movable Writing surface carried by each of said arms immediately above the associated Writing instrument, and means for simultaneously bringing the Writing instruments and Writing surfaces into engagement with the interleaved record strips on opposite sides thereof under pressure applied by an operator to thereby inscribe upon each of the interleaved record strips an original inscription of the record data.

6. The combination set -forth in claim 5, characterized by said movable Writing surfaces com.- prising a rotatable lball-like element mounted Within the upper surface of said Writing instruments.

7. rfine combination set forth in claim 5, characterized by said movable Writing surfaces comprising a spherical top area on the Writing instrument.

8. rr.Che combination set forth in claim 5, characterized by said movable writing surfaces including a rotatable ball-like element mounted within lthe upper Asurface of said writing instruments, and means for supplying writing fiuid to said ball-like elements to provide a Written record on the underside of the superposed record strips.

9. -In an autographic register having a recording area over which an assembly of superposed record strips is progressively advanced'by a strip feeding device, aseries of verticalh,7 spaced writing instruments between which the superposed record strips are interleaved, a series of vertically spaced arms upon Ywhich the writing instruments are pivotally supported in normally spacedrelation, a movable mounting for the arms movable longitudinally and transversely of the recording area, and means for simultaneously bringing the writing instruments into engagement with lthe interleaved record strips and moving said instruments through identical paths of travel to inscribe upon each of the interleaved recordstrips an original inscription of the record data.

lo. In an autographic register having a recording area over Which an assembly of superposed record strips is progressively advanced by a strip feeding device, -a series of vertically spaced Writing instruments between which the superposed record strips are interleaved, a movable mounting for the writing instruments movable longitudinally and transversely of the recording area upon which the writing instruments are -pivotally supported, and means for bringing the writing instruments into engagement with the interleaved record strips for? producing an original inscription upon each `of Vthe record strips.

ll. In an autographic register having a recording area over which an assembly of superposed record strips is. progressively advanced Iby a strip feeding device, a series -of individual vertically spaced lWriting instruments between which the superposed record strips are interleaved, one writing instrument for each record strip, a movable carrierfor the Writing instruments movable longitudinally and transversely -of the recording area upon which the writing instruments are supportedfa supply Yof writing fluid also mounted on the carrier, and means for transmitting the Writing fluid vto the individual Writing instruments.

l2. In an autographic register having a recordingvarea over which -anassembly of superposed record strips is progressively advanced by a strip feeding device, aseries of individual vertically spaced writing instruments between which the superposed record strips are interleaved, one Writing instrument for each record strip, a movable carrier for the writing instruments movable longitudinally and transversely of the recording area upon which the writing instruments are supported, individual reservoirs for different color writing fluids, and means for interconnecting the individual reservoirs with selected writing instruments to produce upon selected record strips a particular color inscription of record data.-

13. In an autographic register having a recording area over which an assembly of superposed record strips is advanced by a strip feeding device, a plurality of writing instruments associated with the register and in interleaved relation with the record strips, there being a writing instrument, for each of the superposed record strips, and a mounting for the writing instruments movable both transversely and longitudinally of the register permitting movement of the writing instruments over the entire recording area of the register.

14. In an autographic register mechanism having a recording area over which an assembly of superposed record strips is advanced by a strip feeding device, a plurality of individual writing instruments in interleaved relation to said record strips, there being a Writing instrument for each of the superposed record strips, said writing instruments being an integrated part of the register mechanism, a universally movable mounting for the writing instruments movable both transversely and longitudinally over the recording area of the register, and means for moving said mounting and writing instruments over the recording area to thereby inscribe upon each of the superposed record strips an original transaction record.

v15. In an autographic register mechanism having a recording area over which an assembly of superposed record strips is advanced by a strip feeding device, a plurality of movable writing instruments interposed between the superposed record strips, a plurality of movable writing surfaces also interposed between the superposed record strips, the construction and arrangement being such that a Writing instrument overlies and a Writing surface underlies the intermediate record strip, and means for simultaneously moving the writing instruments and writing surfaces through identical paths of travel over the recording area of the register to thereby inscribe upon the interposed record strips a transaction record.

ALBERT W. METZNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 400,268 Thompson Mar. 26, 1889 555,763 Fessenden Mar. 3, 1896 651,903 Tschinkel June 19, 1900 773,151 Latimer Oct. 25, 1904 1,137,259 Clark Apr. 27, 1915 2,057,820 Corwin Oct. 20, 1936 2,390,549 Metzner Dec. 11, 1945 2,484,298 Krahulec Oct. 11, 1949 

